Wednesday, September 30, 2009

She was worried. The water was boiling in the kettle, making the normal high pitch sound it always did. She knew that she had to appear calm in front of the others. She made a large pot of tea and took out the milk from the fridge. It was still good but she would have to go to the store soon. She put a little cold milk in two of the jugs and then poured in the tea. The children still hadn’t learnt that tea was boiling hot, so she always cooled it off with milk. “It’s good that I do this” she thought for herself, “it will calm down the children, and make them think of something else than why their father isn’t coming home”. She took out some biscuits, the good ones, and then put them back. Things had to appear normal, so she grabbed the normal, somewhat boring ones and put them on the trey with the jugs of tea. When she came into the living room, the children were still watching their favourite channel; Disney Channel. She recalled that it was her husband’s idea to pay more for the programme package so the children could get this. It had all changed so fast. She had been nervous about them spending too much time in front of the television, now she was relieved that it could direct their attention toward it instead of her. Her eyes were still red, but she did not suspect that the children would notice it. They were oblivious to what had happened in the past which had now become their future. She would have to tell them what had happened and why their father did not want anything to do with them anymore, but right now she just wanted to enjoy the calm of the unsuspecting children watching television and the steaming hot jug of tea she had in her hands, burning her slightly but she took no notice.

2 comments:

  1. Nearly missed this one because it doesn't have a title/header!

    The notion is not entirely clear to me here. The story, however, captures a mood very, very well (worry) - so that is probably the notion you intended...

    I like the way you inhabit your protagonist's mind and let us understand her thoughts.

    One detail: 'mug', not 'jug'

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  2. I'm captivated, but I would have liked if you gave the reader more information about what has happened since the father has left!?
    Like Bent said, I also like that you've made your progaonist function as a first-person narrator.

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